Nature lovers will have more space to explore thanks to an extension to West Ham Park’s wildlife garden.

The opening of the wildlife garden extension at West Ham Park. Picture; Clive Totman

The area has more than tripled in size, with an additional 1,500 sq m added to the existing 720 sq m garden to meet an increase in demand from school groups.

It also provides more valuable habitats for wildlife, including birds and hedgehogs.

Volunteers from HSBC, insurance company Lockton and housing organisation L&Q helped to create the new garden, which includes two new areas of deadwood and a new path. It already features a pond, an insect hotel and a bug hunting area.

Graeme Smith, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s West Ham Park committee, said: “Helping schoolchildren learn more about wildlife and increase their literacy skills by engaging with the environment is one of our key priorities at West Ham Park.

“It is also important to protect and attempt to increase the biodiversity and wildlife of this site.”

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